I apologize to those who have heard this over and over and over.
This is for those than haven't heard it.
July 5, 1978. 31 years ago today.
It all started the day before; 4th of July Stones show at Rich Stadium in Buffalo. We (my girlfriends) and I hit the floor and got separated. I and one other friend ended up taking A BUS HOME!! A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!
My best friend and Stones Sister Bonita ended up at the Sheraton Hotel where we KNEW the Stones had stayed in 1975. She was on the 8th floor near the suites when, at 2 am she was amazed to see Mick and Jerry hustled through the hall and into Suite 812. His bodyguard, a black guy named James Harrington, was across the hall in room 811.
The morning of July 5 I awoke to the phone ringing. It was Bonita screaming "I found him. I found him. I know where he is." She called the Sheraton and asked for the ROOM, not Mick Jagger. He answered the phone!! She likely woke him up so she hung up and called me. Both of my Parents were working so LJ alone in her home screamed SO LOUDLY that 2 neighbors came running to the door to see if I was okay!
Now the question. What to wear???? Drawers opened, closet torn apart. After consulting with my Partner in Crime we decided that we were going to wear the BEST clothes we owned. No Stones Tee and jeans. She was in a pretty floral sundress with a shawl and heels. I selected a white linen suit, black and white striped blouse and black heels. We did NOT want to look like groupies.
We arrived at the Hotel with 2 other friends at about 11 am. We sent our friend George to knock on the bodyguard's door. James opened the door and George apologized "I'm sorry. Wrong room". Exactly what we had planned. About 10 minutes later James came into the hallway. He approached us and asked "Excuse me. Do you know where the gym is located?" "Why of course, we are headed that way, we'll be happy to show you". HeHeHe. Shades of Lucy and Ethel except we are both redheads.
Long story short....we finally told James why we were there. He was very friendly but told us in NO UNCERTAIN terms could he allow us into Mick's room mainly because we were underage!!. The rest of the band had gone on to Detroit but Mick and Jerry had spent the night. He did reveal, however, that both were scheduled to depart the Hotel at 4 and should we happen to be in the hallway.........
At this point our two friends wanted to leave. We had time to kill so I drove them home. Bonita's mom was very supportive of our mission and was adamant that we bring photos with us of Bonita and her Mom's trip to London the year before. On said trip, B broke away from the Tour and visited all those places we read about. Mick's Grammar School, the flat on Cheyne Walk and London School of Economics to name a few.
We just could NOT sit home and wait so back to the Hotel we go. We knocked on James' door and he answered and laughed "I had a feeling you two could not wait. Come on in". He was really nice to us and advised that Jerry had left on an earlier flight. Then he said "I've gotta make sure Mick is up" and he picked up the phone. WE COULD HEAR MICK'S VOICE ON THE OTHER LINE. Before James hung up he said "I'm right across the hall if you need anything". Within 5 minutes there was a knock on the door! He looked at me and said "Why don't YOU answer it". My knees were about to give out as I opened the door. To my disappointment it was another fan UP TO THE SAME THING AS WE WERE. But it was a male fan and he suggested to James that they shoot pool in the game room in the lobby.
Well Well. There we are. All alone in the corridor. No bodyguard. No Jerry. Mick is awake. What can a poor girl do, cept to knock on a rock n roll door!!! We knocked and a voice I know very well asked "Who is it???" WTF??? "Ummm it's LJ and B and we just want to say hello". Geeks!!!!!!!!! He replied "I'm on the phone , sorry". B immediately ran to the elevator. She was so enamored of him that she was really afraid we'd lost our chance. I stopped her and reminded her that we HAD to wait and try again. After all we may never get the chance again.
Back we went after about 10 minutes. We clasped hands and knocked. No voice. THE DOOR OPENED AND WHO WAS PEERING AT US FROM THE SECURITY CHAIN?" Michael Philip Jagger!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Ello". He unlocked the chain and let us in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remember being struck by his stature. He was shorter than me and he had so many wrinkles.
At this point, B, who was always more outgoing that I, went into a comatose state. She stood there. Mouth open. Completely speechless. So it's up to ME to do the talking. I don't remember everything that was said. I think my first remark was "Mr Jagger, I know you hear this all the time, but we really love you and The Stones mean everything to us". MR JAGGER!! I called him MR JAGGER. He asked "Did you like the show yesterday? and then proceeded to JUMP ON THE COUCH IN HIS SUITE AND START DOING THE ROOSTER DANCE!!! FOR ME AND B.
I finally smacked B and said "the pictures..show him the pictures of London". She handed them to him and he seemed genuinely impressed. I remember him saying "Wow. You really ARE devoted fans".
We did not have a camera. We did not even have a pen. I finally said "Mr Jagger we really don't want to take up anymore of your time. Thank you so much". I'd say we were in the room for about 15-20 minutes.
B pulled out her lipstick and he signed the back of two of two of the London pics "xoxo Mick Jagger" I thanked him again and he uttered the words I'll never ever forget...."It was my pleasure to meet two such lovely young ladies".
We left his room and I fell on the floor in the lobby. My legs just gave out. James was walking down the hall and B ran to him and hugged him. He shook his head and said to us "You two. Wow. You'd better remember this day forever and consider yourselves very special because HE NEVER opens his door to strangers."
And that was it. I could barely drive home. We couldn't stop screaming and crying. I think we held our autographs for hours.
So thank you Mick. 31 years ago today you were so sweet to me. You could have been an arrogant jerk, but you weren't. I'll never forget that meeting and I am sitting here in tears as I share this with all of you.
Now if I can just find Keith.................................................................
LJ.
:howefun
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The Day I met Mick Jagger (Read 5,516 times)
